Orville is a boy's name of English origin. It means "golden town" and comes from the Old French word "Or", meaning gold, combined with the Norman word "ville", meaning town or settlement.
The name Orville first appeared in England during the Middle Ages when the Normans conquered the country in 1066. Many Norman nobles brought their own names and customs to England, including the practice of naming children after places where they were born or lived. Thus, Orville became a popular given name among the Norman nobility.
Over time, Orville became more common among the general population in England, although it remained relatively rare compared to other boy's names such as John or William. However, there are some notable individuals throughout history who have carried this distinctive name.
One of the most famous people named Orville was Orville Wright, the American aviation pioneer and businessman who, along with his brother Wilbur, invented and built the world's first successful airplane. Their flights at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina on December 17, 1903, marked a significant milestone in human history and paved the way for modern aviation.
Today, Orville continues to be used as a given name for boys in English-speaking countries around the world. While it may not be as popular as some other names, its unique sound and meaning make it an appealing choice for parents looking for something distinctive yet meaningful for their son.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Orville has seen a varied trend of popularity over time in the United States from 1914 to 1934.
The name first appeared in 1914 with five births that year. The following year, it saw an increase to seven births. This number remained consistent in 1916 as well, indicating a stable level of popularity during these early years. However, the name's popularity began to fluctuate more significantly from then on.
In 1918, there was a notable spike with eleven births, which was the highest recorded for this period. This number decreased slightly in 1919 and 1920 but picked up again in 1921 and 1922 with twelve births each year. After a slight decline in 1923, the popularity of Orville stabilized around ten births per year from 1924 to 1928.
The name's popularity dipped slightly after 1928, with five births recorded in both 1930 and 1932. However, it picked up again in 1934 with another eleven births, suggesting a potential resurgence of interest in the name during this time.
Overall, while Orville has not been one of the most popular names over this period, its popularity has shown some interesting patterns and fluctuations. It is important to note that these statistics reflect only a snapshot of time and do not necessarily indicate future trends or overall popularity of the name.